Why should medical facilities get all the fun? A new post on Instructables shows you how to build a machine that lets you print your own organic matter.

Companies such as Organovo are working on 3D-printing human organs from stem cells for the purposes of drug testing and transplant, and a noble use of the technology it is, too. But according to Patrik of biotech hacker group BioCurious, the technology used in bio-printing isn't really all that difficult or out-of-reach.

In fact, if you've ever thought to yourself, "gee, I'd like to try and print some extra skin", now there's a way you can muck about with your very own bio-printer. The group has created a set of Instructables to show you exactly how to make your own at home.

Now, this isn't exactly like building a cable tidy out of some foam or a cardboard tube; you're going to need some engineering know-how and a bit of time.

Materials needed are:

Two laser-head slider mechanisms with stepper motors (preferably matching), scavenged from old CD drives. Cost: a few bucks a piece